Student food stops
Studying works up an appetite so it’s a good thing the city is packed with places that are big on taste and budget-friendly. Two city locals share their top spots to tuck into something delicious to eat.
From New Delhi, India Flinders University, Master of Business student
Parul has been enjoying life as a city resident for just over 12 months now, since arriving from India to finish her Masters’ degree, which she hopes to complete by the end of 2019.
From her new digs near Chinatown, one of Adelaide’s best destinations for flavoursome food, she’s loving the convenience of city life for study and play.
“The best part about this area is that it’s near to bus stops that take me to my university and everything I need to get to in the city is within walking distance,” said Parul – who’s also fond of the city’s natural surrounds.
Dine Central
Adelaide Central Plaza
“There are so many places around Adelaide to eat and enjoy that won’t put a hole in your pocket. For instance, for days when I can’t decide what to eat, I go to this food court in Rundle Mall which has mini stalls for all the cuisines, all within my budget.”
“I’ve tried almost everything at this Indonesian restaurant, but the best is the chicken rice.”
“Where I’m living now is close to Chinatown which has a number of nice restaurants that provide delicious and affordable meals. East Taste is one of my favourites. I love their salted fish fried rice, stir fry Chinese broccoli with mushroom & tofu and fried tofu in pepper."
From Taipei, Taiwan, TafeSA graduate
Just out of commercial cookery and hospitality management school and now working as a commis chef at Botanic Garden Restaurant, Lee is well qualified to list his picks.
Lee arrived in Adelaide to study and live in 2017.
“I chose Adelaide because I wanted the balance of being able to be both busy and relaxed in this perfect-size city. That, the cool dry climate and I’d heard people in South Australia were nice and kind.”
Lee lived in the CBD while studying at TAFE and has now calls North Adelaide home.
Lee is loving his gig at the highly regarded Botanic Garden Restaurant, where he’s learning from top chefs Paul Baker and Emma McCaskill.
“Their creativity and knowledge always blows my mind,” said Lee. “The most fun I enjoy in this kitchen is that we use the fresh ingredients inside the Botanic Garden and make them into beautiful dishes. Sometimes walking through the garden to the restaurant on a beautiful day makes me almost forget I’m actually working or heading to work!”
“One of my favourite bars, with a great atmosphere, relaxing tone, amazing cocktails and they have $15 pizza each Wednesday. The Chorizo is my favourite: Hahndorf chorizo and roast Hills potato (carb plus carb - but just set Wednesday as your cheat day) on a pesto base. I always order the ‘Friends and Lovers’ cocktail – it’s delicious.”
“This Korean dumpling place is yummy and always packed. The bibimbap is so delicious. If there’s a few of you or you are with one very hungry friend, the hot pot is my all-time favourite.”
Chinatown Café
“Delicious food at an amazing food court price. The Hainanese chicken rice and laksa are my favourites. If you’re having trouble choosing, you can change the chicken broth (that comes with the Hainanese chicken) to laksa broth! After, walk around the Adelaide Central Market, which is one of the best in the world. Plus, you get an hour free parking (at UPark Central Market) when the Market’s open - that makes it a perfect lunch place.”
For cheap city eats for students that you can find in the city's retail heart - Rundle Mall, visit this page on StudyAdelaide's website.